Therapeutic apparatus



Dec. 12, 1950 H. L'PooR f 2,533,504

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1 948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 PI 1 M 2 IN VEN TOR.

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/0 A'TTORNEY Dec. 12, 1950 1 .1. POOR 2,533,504

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1948 i 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Dec. 12, 1950 H. I. POOP: 255335504 THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Filed April 19, I948 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR 260 HENRY I. POOR ATTORNEY T I [TH Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Henry'I. Poor, West Lafayette, Ind., assignor of one-fourth to J. Philip Sampson,

Monica, Calif.

Santa Application April 19, 1948, Serial No. 21,769

7 Claims.

1 The present invention relates generally to therapeutic apparatus for the treatment of certain vascular diseases, in which there exists deficient or impaired circulation, and particularly by increasing the immediate flow by forcing blood flow through established vessels and V Claudication, Serial No. 632,907, filed Decem her 5, 1945, and now Patent No. 2,528,843, issued November 7, 1950.

It is one object of the present invention to provide improved therapeutic apparatus for carrying out the method disclosed in my aforementioned copending application, namely, the application of a peripherally extending band of constrictive pressure to a portion of the limb to be treated, this band of pressure being translated along the limb by advancing the zone of pressure application, while maintaining and at no time releasing the constrictive pressure during such translation until the end of the treated portion of the limb is reached. At such time, all

pressure may be released, and after lapse of a d predetermined time interval, another band of constrictive pressure may be applied and translated along the limb portion to repeat the cycle. A further object of the invention is to provide in therapeutic apparatus of the character described herein, a sectionalized applicator unit of improved construction, which may be applied to the limb portion to be treated, the sections being so formed that they may be quickly and easily varied as to effective length, and are so constructed as to conform to different portions of the limb in such a way as to prevent tendency to crawl or creep along the limb as a result of inflation and deflation durin operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in connection with therapeutic apparatus, improved control and distribution means of simplified construction for utilization with the applicator unit, and by means of which the inflation of its sections may be accomplished in accordance with the previously mentioned method in a cyclic manner.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is tor the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations on the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal axial sectional view of the fluid pressure control and distribution unit of the present invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views through the same, taken substantially on lines 2-2 and.3-3, respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the applicator unit of the invention, illustrating the manner in which the applicator sections are secured in limb enveloping positions on the limb to be treated, the limb being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the applicator unit as it appears when detached from the limb being treated, the applicator sections being longitudinally extended;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of one of the applicator sections with its ends overlapping and secured by clamping means;

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the parts constituting the fluid supply connection to an applicator section, certain of the parts being shown in section to disclose pertinent details of construction;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a clamp such as used for securing the ends Of each applicator section in overlapping relation;

Figs. 9 and, 10 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing in reduced scale a modified arrangement;

Fig. 11 i a side elevational view of a fluid pressure control and distribution unit of modified construction embodying the features of the present invention;

Figs. 12 and 13 are transverse sectional views through the same, taken substantially on lines l2-l2 and I3l3 respectively; and

Fig. 14 is a view schematically illustrating the safety cut-off and control for the fluid pressure supply source.

' lhe therapeutic apparatus of the present invention consists primarily of two cooperatively associated units, namely, a fluid pressure control and distribution unit as exemplified by the illustration in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and an applicator unit such as exemplified by the illustration in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It is believed that the invention will be more clearly understood if the applicator unit is first considered. As generally illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, the applicator unit as shown in Fig. 4 is illustrated as enveloping a portion of a human limb, in this case, a leg, which is to be treated, the limb being shown in dotted lines.

Structurally, the applicator unit includes an elongate base member [8 of suitable material and length, depending upon the limb to be treated. This base member forms a unitary or common support towhich there is secured by means of complementary snap connectors l I a plurality oi inflatable and deflatable sections I2.

the base member and are disposed in side-by-side relationship.

As shown in Fig. 5, the sections when extended from the base member as shown are laterally curved lengthwise between their ends, and one or more of the sections as illustrated by section l2a may be disposed in a reversed curvedrelation to the other sections. By constructing the sectionswith' a curvature asdescribed; these sec-- tions, when secured around-(a limb having a: generally;tapering exterior, will more properly con-- form to the outer surface thereof zancl-will be preventedtfrom crawling-:01 creeping along the limb upon being inflated and deflateddiuring"treating of theilimb; Moreover; thGISGCtiOHSITlEY be made of any'sd'esiredzlength, andtthe number may be increased or decreased as. found necessary to adapt it:forctreatmentz,of a specificlimb.

Each of-theinfla'rtable sections of the applicator unit includes a'base: strip; lllgof: somewhat rigid, but flexible material, uponwhich-thereis secured alongsonegsurfacezthereof as by vulcanization or the like, ail-elongate tube, i 410i suitableiexpansible material. This tube. is closed atone endiand .open at its other; at:both'en,ds and:a corner of one closed end severedv or'cut to provide an opening! 5 as shown Figs. 5 and ,6; whichiw-ill 1 connect the interior of the tube with atmosphere.

Inorder to w provide: for'adjustment of each section so as toi fit:thes adiacent' portion? of the limb which is being treated, a clamp 18 is provided for'clampingly securing-the1 ends of the respective: sections in overlapping engagement, as shownin'Figafiz As shown-in Fig. 8, thelclamp is shown as comprisingaU-shaped base member having a portion I! which interconnects in spaced: relation"- deflectedparallel end portions 8'|81 anchored at one endof saisection' i2'by securing it between the'base strip iS-andtube 1 It with the end portionsrl 8 I gnrespectively; extending along the side edges of the base strip.

Aclamping member" H9 in the form of a plate isr-shaped to provide an arched edge-2% along oneside and is provided with'oppositelyprojecting aligned end pin portions 2| adaptedqto extend into-openings calm the end portions l8'i 8 and. form apivotal support for the clamping member. The edge opposite the arched edge 23 of 'the'plate is serrated, this edge. being provided with a plurality-iof teeth 23:

With the clamping member supported'as described-above, it may; be pivotally rotated so as tomovethe serrated edge toward and away from the. portion I! 1 0f?- the base: or, intoclamped and unclamped relation therewith; Provision is madefor; normally actuating the;- clampingimember It tooa clamped position by; supporting a member-2 at its ends in theeendportions'I8+i6?so as to extend 1transversely therebetween in'rparallel :reloationto' the pivotal axis of the -clampi-ng mem- As thussupported, these sections extend transverseiyof,

If desired, the tube may be c o ed.

The portion H, as shown'inFig. 6, is

As spring 25is-coi1ed about. one endof the.

member 24, one end of this spring being anchored to an adjacent end portion I8, as indicated at 28a, and the other end of the spring being formed as an extension 25 which is terminated as an end loop adapted to bear against the clamping member adjacent its arched edge 25.

The action of the spring 25 is such that it will bias the clamping member is; toward clamped position; Movement of the clamping member toward clamped position is limited by a stop pin 28 supported on an adjacent endportion it. When the-free end or open end of an associated section is passed between the clamping member it and the portion of the section overlying the portion ll, thebase strip l3 of the free end will be engaged by the'teeth 23 along the ser ated edge so that the material of the expansibie tube it will be protected and prevented from becoming worn or torn by the teeth of the clamping member.

By utilizing a clamp as heretofore described, the effective lengths-oi the avarious sections l2 may be readily adjusted by simply applying pressure on the arched edgefiil of the clamping member so" as to tilt itltoward unclamped position against thebias ofthe, springiiti The physician may therefore readilyand; rapidly adjust" the length of each sectionto the adjacent portion of the limb to be treated: Moreover, by providing edge notches ISazl 8min each end-portion of the, U-shaped base, adaptedtoreceive the edge margins of :in-sertedend section; such section may: be angularlyshiftedunderzthe clamping member in-such a manner, as to permit limited tightening" orloosening-adjustment of the opposite edges of the sections with" respect to the enveloped ads; iacent limb portion;

Each section of the applicator'unit is provided withafluid connection means for-supplying a fluid under pressure to-the section, such conv nection means I serving asboth inlet andoutlet for its associated section during-useor treatment. As clearly;"illustratedinFig; 7, each con-q tion means comprisesa tubular stem- 3t whichis positioned "in apertures- 32 *andfiS: of the tube 1 and-base strip;- it, the tubular: stemhaving a; convex shaped headport-ion' 35 positioned within The oppositeside of-thehead portion:

the'tu-be is; is formed-with a flat-faces? containing one or more grooves B'tcommunieating at its innermost endgwi-th the interior-oi-the-stem. The purpose-- of theseqgrooves'is to forrnna connection'with the interior of the tube, even thou-glinthe-opposite Wall of the tube may ,be pressed againstthe surface-Boot the head, From thehead ,portion, the Stem partially ea ediasishowniat 38. to apoint "inwardly =spaced'iromithea end' of the stem. A concave'faced-clamp washerifiEizisrarranged to fit over; the stem and is-pmvidedwith a coma. plementary surface did-adapted tobear on the outer surface ofzthe basevstripliif'a-ndfcoact with the headportiontto clamp the adjacent'basey strip and tube portion therebetween. A nutriaiapplicator unit and their cyclic-operation durin treatment will nowbe. described; The inven tion contemplates several arrangements, for accomplishing varied cyclic operations. One embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. In practice, it is contemplated that this unit will be supported upon a portable standard (not shown), and that a fluid pressure of air or other suitable fluid will be conducted to the control and distribution unit from a suitable supply source. For purposes of illustration, a supply line 40 for the regulated fluid pressure is shown in Fig. 1.

In this construction, there is a base plate 4| having a central aperture 42 in which there is rotatably mounted a shaft 43. This shaft at one end is centrally bored as indicated at 44, and has its adjacent end portion provided with an enlarged bore, as indicated at 45, for receiving therein an end portion 46 of a connection fitting ll of tubular construction adapted to be connected to the supply line 40. This fitting is non-rotatably supported in a bracket 48 mounted on the base plate 4|.

The shaft at this end is provided with threads 49 for operative association with a gland nut 59 which contains a ring seal Adjacent its innermost end, the bore 44 is provided with an outlet 52 which is in communication with a radially extending bore passage 54 in a control plate 53 carried by the shaft. At the periphery of the control plate, the radial bore portion is closed by a plug 55.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the base plate 4| and the control plate 53 have confronting faces in intimate contact and are supported for relative rotational movement. As more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the face of the control plate is provided with a plurality of arcuate slots in end-to-end relation, one of these slots, 55, being of relatively short length, and the other slot, 51, being of relatively greater length. It will be noted that the radial bore passage 54 communicates with slot 56 and slot 51 communicates with a plurality of port openings 58, by means of which the slot 51 is connected with atmosphere. As shown in Fig. 2, the base plate 4| has a plurality of passages 59 opening into its confronting face, these pasasges corresponding in number tothe number of sections l2 of the applicator unit, and being circum'ferentially spaced equidistant from each other on the same radial axis as the slot 56 and the slot 51.

With the foregoing arrangement, rotation of the shaft 43 will successively move the slots 56 and 5'! over the passages 59, fluid pressure being supplied to the passages 59 which are in connection or communication with slot 51, and those passages 59 which are in communication with slot 5! being vented to atmosphere.

It will be observed that the length of slot 51' is such as to be capable of simultaneous communication with a pluralit of passages 59, and in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the slot 5'! is of suflicient length toextend over these passages 59. Each passage 59 communicates with a connection nipple 65, whereby each passage 59 may be connected through an individual supply tube 39 with one of the sections I2 of the applicator unit.

With the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the passages 59 are discontinued for a portion of their mounting circle, so that there will be a considerable interval between two of the passages in which there will be no passage communicating with slot 56 during rotation of control plate 53. Thus, it will be apparent that as the slot 55 is moved from this interval, the first three passages 59 will be successively connected to the fluid pressure, all three being simultaneously connected to the fluid pressure supply. Consequently, the first three sections of the applicator unit will be inflated.

As relative rotation is continued between the control plate and base plate, passages 59 will be successively connected with the slot 56 in the direction of rotation and successively disconnected in the opposite direction, but at least one tube will remain connected and inflated at all times, so as to apply a holding pressure. This holding pressure is constantly maintained, but is translated or advanced along the sections of the applicator and the limb being treated.

This continues until the slot 56 starts moving into the space interval, at which time the last passages 59 will be successively disconnected from communication with the slot 56. Movement of the slot 56 over the space interval will form a dwell period, during which there will be no fluid pressure supplied to the sections of the applicator unit. At the end of this dwell period, the cycle will be repeated. The passages 59 which are not in communication with slot 56 will be in communication with slot 51, and thus vented to atmosphere, so that these sections will be deflated. In certain cases of treatment, it may be desirable to utilize a cyclic translation of constrictive pressure from one end of the limb being treated to the other, the cycle being immediately commenced upon completion without an inactive or dwell period betweeneach cycle as previously explained. In such cases, the fluid pressure control and distribution unit may be modified as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein similar parts are designated by similar numerals of the series. In this arrangement, the space interval has been eliminated and the passages I59 are shown as being circumferentially spaced at equal distance throughout their mounting circle. The slot I56 is therefore extended in length and slot I51 shortened accordingly.

As further shown in Fig. 1, the plate 4| is connected with a bracket member 6| which forms a support from which a casing 62 and motor 63 connected to a reduction drive 64 are supported in outboard relation to the plate 4|. A fan 65 driven by the motor provides a circulation of cooling air, the casing 62 being provided with apertures 66 for the passage of air.

The reduction drive operates through a slot speed shaft 63a which is connected with a coupling 6! by means of a set screw 61a. This coupling is connected in any suitable manner to the shaft 43.

Provision is made for maintaining the confronting faces of base plate 4| and control plate 53 in pressure engagement. This is accomplished by means of a thrust bearing 68 which is biased by an expansion coiled spring 69 in a direction toward the base plate 4|. The effective force of the spring 69 is adjustable through a nut 16 having threaded connection with the shaft 43 and bearing against a collar 10a interposed between the nut and adjacent end of the spring 69.

A fluid pressure control and distribution unit of different modified structure is disclosed in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, similar parts being designated by similar numerals in the 200 series. In this arrangement, it will be noted that the base plate 24| and control plate 253 are reversed with respect to the motor 263. This places all the connections for the supply tube 240 and connection tubes 230 on the same side and supported from tha-sameplate, in this-case,.baseplatefll which" is: stationary: The, control plate 2 53:. in this case is-; rotatablyrmounted,on the shaft 243; which'isstationary; and1anchored in:the-base. plate 24!: Connection of the control plate to the driving shaftzzfifiaris accomplished'through a U-shaped bracket Zl'hhav-ing-its-leg ends connected to the control plateand its bridgingportion'connected. toacoupling 261;

Referringeto. Fligs: 12 and 13,- the-pressure supply; tube 2481- communicates with a passage 2.12..

in the confrontingface of the baseplate 24%; This passage in turn communicates. with an annular continuous slot 2513' opening into. the confrontingface of-the control plate-253; and this slot is connected through a radial bore :passage 25 with the slot 256.-

As'furthershownin-Fig. 13, provision is made for introducing a lubricant to'theconfronting faces of the base-plate and control-plate. For such: purpose; a lubricant-well 214 is drilledor otherwiseformed'inthe base plate 241.- This well atrits innerendhasan-opening 2l5 into the adjacent face of the plate. The outermost end ofthe well is internallythreaded for receiving a plug;'2 l6.-which may; be screwed into the-Welland utilized toretain a'lubricant containing-packing 2.]lthereinfrom-which'lubricant w-ill seep between the confronting faces of the relatively roperiod is=includedbetween the cycles than when,

theItree/tmentis giverrwithouta rest period; In the first case, a speed of 29 ReP. M; has been'used and.in:the.-latter, a speed of 30 R; P. M, This difference in speed-maybe obtainedin-any; suitable way.

As; schematically illustrated in Fig; 14; safety cut-off and control is-contemplated-for the fluid pressure. connected to the supply line 49-.

More specifically, a suitable fluid source isccm nected through a manually operable valve 2'53:

with the. inlet! of a, normally closedelectrically actuated valve 219. toiclosed position by aspring 289-, andthas its outlet-connected with'supplyline 65. The electrically energizable means 2-34, which;may. bea

sclenoidor othersuitable means, is adapted, upon energization, to open the valveand hold itinopen position- This means islelectricallyconnected to the energizing-circuit of the motor fit-of-the control and distribution unit; so that, upondisconnection of the-motor by means of. control switchiBZ, the. valve will automaticallyclose and. cutoff the line iil from the fluid pressure supply source I claim-as m yinvention:

1. An inflatable applicatorstructure adapted-to envelop a bodyportion to be treated, comprising: a flexible strap-like base member; an inflatable tube secured to the base member so as to extend along one-surfacethereoi, said tube being closed at onetend and open at the other: means for clampingly securing the 'ends inoverlapped relationyfluid connection means to said-tube inc1ud-- inga tubular stem extending; through the base This valve is normally-biased- .8? member and having a head portion-disposedin: the tube, said head portionhaving a. clamping; surfaceon the stem side thereof and a-lateral: channel on the opposite side connecting with:- the stem interior; a clamping washer carried by; the stem exteriorally of the base member; anda washerengaging nut threaded-upon thestemtoactuate the washer into clamped cooperation :with" thehead portion.

2. An inflatable applicator structure adapted toenvelop a body portion tobe treated, comprising: aflexible strap-like base member; an inflatable tube secured to thebase member'soas toextend along one surface thereof, said-tube being closed at one end and open at the other; a. U-shaped member secured adjacent theclosedv end of the tube; a tube clamping-member pivoted between the end portions of the U-shaped memher, said end portion being so arranged as taper-- mit angular shifting of the inserted open end of? the tube under the tube clamping meinb'eryand fluid connection means to said tube extending through said base member.

3. An inflatable applicator structure adapted to envelop a body portion to be treated, compris ing: aflexible strap-like base member; an 1111- flatable tube secured to the base member-seas to extend along one surface thereof; said tube being closed at one endandopen at the other;. clamping means secured adjacent tle closed end of the tube including a pivotally mounted-clamping member; mean normally biasing the clamping member toward clamped position; andfiuid connection means to said tube extending through' said base member.

4. An applicator unit adapted to envelop a. body portion to be treated, compris'ingran elongate base member; a plurality oflaterally. curved inflatable sections carried by'saidmember can tending substantially transversely thereof tin'side icy-side relation, each of said sections havihgaa closed end and an open end and at least one of' said sections being disposed with its curvature in reversed relation to the other sections; clam-p ing means carried-by each section adjacent its closedend adapted to adjustably receive and close the open end of the section, whereby ltSiilIlflatable length may be varied; and means forin dependently connecting each section wi-th'a fluid pressure source.

5. An applicator unit adapted to envelop a body portion to be treated, comprising: an elongate base member; a plurality of inflatable sections carried said member extending substan-:- tially transversely thereof in side-by-side relation, each of said sections having a" closedendt and an open end and being laterally curved lengthwise between ends;- clamping means carried by each section adjacentits closed end adapted to adjustably receive and close the open endof the section, whereby its inflatablelength may be varied; and means for independently connecting each section with fluid pressure source.

6. An applicator unit adapted to envelopa body portion to be treated, comprising: a flexible strap forming an elongate base; a plurality of inflatable sections respectively closed at one end and open at the other; complementary-snap fastener" means detachably connecting the sections to the strap in transversely extendingside-by-side relation; clamping means carried by each section its closed end adapted to adjustably receive and closethe' open end of'the section, whereby its 111-: flatable. length may be varied; :and; means 1for 'in dependently connecting each section with a fluid pressure source.

'7. An applicator unit adapted to envelop a body portion to be treated, comprising: en elongate base member; a plurality of inflatable sections carried by said member extending substantially transversely thereof in side-by-side relation, each of said sections having a closed end and an open end; clamping means carried by each section adjacent its closed end adapted to adjustably receive and close the open end of the section, Whereby its inflatable length may be varied; and means for independently connecting each section with a fluid pressure source.

HENRY I. POOR.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,127,265 Martin Aug. 16, 1938 2,361,242 Rosett Oct. 24, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 483,111 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1938 483,132 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1938 484,604 Great Britain May 9, 1938 

